Hello everyone. I just joined CoinTalk and was hoping I could get an answer to my first question. I keep reading and hearing about the National Currency Note census where (as an example) sellers and advertisers claim only 3 or 4 notes are known to exist for a particular chartered bank that issued National currency notes. Where does this census exist? Is it free to explore or like most everything in life in comes with a Shipping and Handling fee? Any info on how to access or get any statistics regarding NC notes would be appreciated.
First of all welcome to the forum. I am by no means an expert on Nationals but those that are will most likely tell you that the numbers are true. My local dealer has a book on nationals and I'm sure there are more. What you have to take into consideration is just how small some of these towns were that issued nationals. Ravages of time take a great toll on paper as well. Might there be more than are "known"? Of course, someones Aunt Mildred could have one with no clue what it's worth. The information is out there if you can find it but when it comes to currency I pretty much trust the "big players" when it comes to numbers. Believe me they keep in touch with one another on points like this.
A very good resource is the 5th Edition of Don C. Kelly's National Bank Notes. A compilation of years of research that is updated and even comes with a CD. If you are serious about Nationals, then get this book! Need I say that Nationals can be a very expensive collectable! RickieB
There are a couple of sources for information on Nationals. As mentioned in a previous response, Don Kelly's book or CD is considered the Bible for Nationals. It is my understanding that the census information in the Kelly book is based on the records of the Comptroller of the Currency. These records show the number of notes delivered to each bank, the number the bank issued and the number that have not been presented for redemption. The Kelly numbers should represent the maximum number of notes that could still exist. This does not mean that they all still exist or are otherwise accounted for. A note that was destroyed in a fire would still show in the records (and the Kelly book) as being unredeemed but would no longer exist. I have a single National from a local bank. The Kelly book says there are 4 outstanding of that type (date and denomination). I was at a small, local coin show last month. The other 3 notes were on the bourse in cases of two different dealers! The Kelly book and CD are not free. I found an old one at a used book sale at the local library. The prices are out of date but the census information is still good.
